Best Grants for Cancer Nonprofits in Missouri

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, school districts, and government entities improving specialty medical care access in rural Kansas or western Missouri can apply for funding to bring services like oncology, maternal care, chronic disease, dental, and mental health closer to patients. Grants from Patterson Family Foundation may benefit Missouri cancer programs serving eligible rural communities.

Missouri nonprofit organizations working on cancer awareness, children’s health, special needs services, food banks, or zoological conservation can seek project support through the David B. Lichtenstein Foundation. Missouri cancer and oncology nonprofits may be eligible if their programs advance cancer research, clinical services, or community outreach within the state.

Nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) educational or research institutions in Missouri working on childhood cancer can seek funding for non-animal, pre-clinical research methods and models. With a mission to advance humane science, Alternatives Research & Development Foundation provides US $210,000 to improve childhood cancer knowledge or treatment while demonstrating the value of non-animal approaches.

Professional elderly blues musicians facing emergency medical or living expenses can receive US $500 in assistance for care, transportation, treatments, utilities, or burial costs across the U.S. Cancer nonprofits in Missouri may connect eligible artists they serve to this Pinetop Perkins Foundation program for crisis support related to cancer or other serious conditions.

With a mission to improve patient-centered healthcare, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute provides Missouri cancer and oncology organizations with up to US $13,000,000 for comparative clinical effectiveness research across the cancer care continuum. Eligible public and private sector organizations must form researcher-community partnerships to address screening barriers, treatment quality, or survivorship needs in U.S. populations.

Cancer researchers leading projects to improve prevention, early detection, treatment, or survivorship outcomes in high-burden communities across the U.S., including Missouri, can apply for up to US $50,000 in pilot funding. Focused on cancer outcomes, Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute invites interdisciplinary proposals from IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center members.

Missouri cancer and health research organizations can access funding through the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute for retrospective observational comparative clinical effectiveness research using existing data sources. Eligible private, public, U.S., and foreign institutions must address at least one PCORI topic theme, such as cancer, maternal morbidity, mental health, pain, substance use, rare diseases, or metabolic and endocrine health, with awards up to US $2,000,000.

Cancer research institutions conducting translational oncology studies, including those in Missouri, can seek funding to run P50 SPORE research centers advancing prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of human cancers. National Institutes of Health, through the National Cancer Institute, offers US $25,000,000 to support multi-year, organ-specific or mechanism-based clinical trial programs.

Graduating high school seniors and healthcare professionals pursuing oncology or hematology education in Central or Southern Illinois can receive tuition or professional development support, including certifications and conferences. Heart of Illinois Community Foundation’s scholarship may benefit cancer-focused organizations whose staff meet these criteria and reside in Macon, Moultrie, or Piatt County.

Full-time radiation oncology faculty clinicians conducting cancer research in Missouri can seek multi-year career development support through this clinician scientist award, which offers US $135,000 annually. Focused on advancing cancer and radiation oncology research careers, the American Society for Radiation Oncology and American Cancer Society co-fund this grant for U.S.-based academic or eligible nonprofit institutions.

Practicing radiation oncologists in the U.S., including those based in Missouri, can apply for the ACS-ASTRO Felix Feng, MD Clinician Scientist Development Award, which provides US $729,000 over three to five years for cancer research. Hospital- or clinic-affiliated cancer programs may benefit when their clinicians receive this support for oncology research across the cancer continuum.

Missouri cancer and healthcare organizations such as hospitals, medical schools, patient advocacy groups, and eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits can access funding through Incyte for programs that provide healthcare information and support patients with cancer and other diseases. Grants, charitable contributions, and sponsorships support medical education, professional training, and patient care initiatives that meet Incyte’s compliance guidelines.

Cancer-focused medical schools, hospitals, patient advocacy groups, and other eligible nonprofits in Missouri can seek funding for healthcare information initiatives, education, and patient services. Focused on cancer and other diseases, Incyte supports programs that help students, healthcare providers, patients, caregivers, and advocates access critical healthcare information through charitable contributions, sponsorships, and memberships.

The 2026 Radiation Oncology Institute- Innovation Awards aim to advance cancer treatment by integrating radiation therapy with immunotherapy. Researchers are invited to submit proposals that explore optimal combinations of these modalities to enhance patient outcomes. Funding of up to $100,000 over two years will support projects focused on identifying effective treatment strategies, understanding mechanisms of synergy, and improving access to care. This initiative represents a significant opportunity for innovative research in oncology.

The Radiation Oncology Institute (ROI) Innovation Awards, offered by the American Society for Radiation Oncology, aim to accelerate innovative ideas in radiation therapy. Currently accepting applications for the 2026 awards, the program focuses on optimizing the combination of radiation therapy and immunotherapy to enhance cancer treatment outcomes. By supporting practical research, ROI strives to transform clinical practices and improve patient care in the fight against cancer.

Pfizer is offering a grant opportunity for independent medical education initiatives focused on Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (MIBC). This program aims to address the current knowledge gaps among healthcare professionals regarding emerging treatment data and its potential impact on clinical practices. By collaborating with Astellas, Pfizer seeks proposals that enhance awareness and understanding of the evolving MIBC landscape, ultimately improving patient outcomes in this critical area of unmet medical need.

The Hope for the Journey Foundation for Cancer Treatment Support, backed by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, offers vital non-medical financial assistance to cancer patients and their families. This support is crucial for those navigating the challenges of cancer treatment, ensuring that they can focus on their health and well-being. The foundation prioritizes applicants from specific counties in Missouri, helping local families during their difficult journeys.

The Joyce Bytof Memorial Cancer Survivors Scholarship, established by Joyce Bytof in collaboration with the American Cancer Society, supports childhood cancer survivors graduating from specific Wisconsin high schools. This scholarship aims to assist them in pursuing higher education despite the financial and academic challenges posed by their experiences. Joyce's legacy continues to inspire hope and resilience among young survivors as they strive for academic success and a brighter future.

The AACR-Torrey Coast Foundation Transpacific Gastric and Esophageal Cancer Research Partnership Grant supports innovative research on upper gastrointestinal malignancies, which are responsible for over one million deaths globally in 2023. This grant encourages collaboration between U.S. and Asian institutions, focusing on resistance, metastasis, and novel treatment strategies. Proposals should detail plans for clinical translation and are open to researchers at all career stages, especially those new to upper GI cancer research.

Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation Inc supports independent medical education to enhance healthcare professional competence and improve patient health outcomes. Their mission is to be a global leader in innovative medical education, focusing on evidence-based activities that address critical gaps in knowledge. By fostering excellence in healthcare, they aim to ensure measurable improvements in performance and patient outcomes across various disease areas.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for the validation of biomarkers and assays for cancer detection and treatment. This funding opportunity allows for biphasic or monophasic applications to support both analytical and clinical validation phases. Successful projects will leverage human specimens to develop assays that enhance cancer treatment and prevention, ensuring multidisciplinary collaboration among scientists and clinicians. This initiative aims to improve cancer management through reliable and clinically validated tools.

The American Heart Association is seeking proposals to study the prevalence and treatment of cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic diseases among cancer patients and survivors. Given the over 16.7 million cancer survivors in the U.S., this research aims to highlight critical health disparities, identify treatment modalities, and explore shared risk factors. Applications focusing on underrepresented populations and utilizing real-world data sources are especially encouraged, aiming to improve health outcomes in this vulnerable group.

The ASCO Clinical Oncology & Research Experience (ASCO CORE) offers medical students immersive exposure to the field of oncology through shadowing experiences in clinical and research settings. With two distinct tracks, participants can gain insights into patient care or research practices, guided by mentors. Eligible students must be enrolled in a U.S. DO or MD program and maintain a good academic record. This program aims to inspire the next generation of oncology professionals.

Grants Program for Penn Investigators - Faculty Awards

Research grant applications in basic science, prevention, disease interception, and early detection that are relevant to the study of BRCA1/2 will be considered. The Basser Cancer Interception Institute focuses on funding new endeavors in emerging, orthogonal fields beyond DNA damage (e.g. mechanisms of haploinsufficiency, cancer evolution and tissue tropism). 

Grants focused on the following are of particular interest:

• Cancer interception and the pre-cancer disease state
• Issues relevant to men (including but not limited to prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, male breast cancer)
• Potential for translation into clinical practice
• Early detection

Grants that demonstrate a potential for translation into clinical practice will be prioritized for funding.

Faculty Awards

Faculty awards are for two years with a funding level up to $200,000 per year.

Grants Program for Penn Investigators - Early career awards for Fellows, Postdocs and Instructors

Research grant applications in basic science, prevention, disease interception, and early detection that are relevant to the study of BRCA1/2 will be considered. The Basser Cancer Interception Institute focuses on funding new endeavors in emerging, orthogonal fields beyond DNA damage (e.g. mechanisms of haploinsufficiency, cancer evolution and tissue tropism). 

Grants focused on the following are of particular interest:

• Cancer interception and the pre-cancer disease state
• Issues relevant to men (including but not limited to prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, male breast cancer)
• Potential for translation into clinical practice
• Early detection

Grants that demonstrate a potential for translation into clinical practice will be prioritized for funding.

Early career awards for Fellows, Postdocs and Instructors

Early career awards for Fellows, Postdocs and Instructors up to $100,000 for one year. Grants are eligible for competitive renewal upon reapplication and are contingent on progress the first year.

This initiative aims to support research interventions targeting disparities in liver diseases and liver cancer among underserved populations in the U.S. It encourages innovative approaches to reduce health inequities and improve health outcomes. The funding opportunity is available through various deadlines for both standard and renewal applications, promoting multi-level strategies to address these critical health issues effectively.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for the Toward Translation of Nanotechnology Cancer Interventions (TTNCI) program. This funding opportunity focuses on advanced pre-clinical research aimed at developing nanotechnology-based cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. TTNCI awards will support the maturation of innovative nanomedicines using nanoparticles and nano-devices, enhancing cancer treatment efficacy. Successful projects will progress towards further NCI translational programs, such as the NExT initiative.